From Toulouse to Carcassonne along the Canal du Midi in 4 days
This 4-day bike ride along the Canal du Midi allows you to reach 2 major landmarks of the canal: Toulouse, the Pink City, and Carcassonne, with its medieval fortress.
- Occitania
- 4 day(s)
- Fairly easy
- ~ 34 km/day
- Itinerant
You cycle sometimes on cycle paths or the towpath along the canal, sometimes on low-traffic country roads. You will cross the Lauragais, a large fertile plain surronded by hills that flourished on the 15th and 16th centuries thanks to pastel trade, which also brought prosperity to Toulouse. The village churches with their characteristic fortified bell towers are a heritage of this rich past. You ride through Castelnaudary, the proud capital of cassoulet, and the charming abbey of Saint-Papoul before arriving in Carcassonne at the foot of the impressing medieval fortress.
Difficulty level: easy. The itinerary is flat along the canal, but hilly as soon as you divert from the canal. The route takes you on the boat towpath of the canal and quiet country roads. The stages are 30 to 49 km long, which means 3 to 5 hours biking at a slow pace (10km/h). The towpath still being a singletrack on several portions (after Castelnaudary), it is sometimes bumpy to ride.
Program
- 32 km
- + 140 m
You leave Toulouse on a cycle route along the Canal du Midi and leave the city in peace and quiet, lulled by the gentle lapping of the water. You will reach the first villages of the Lauragais region, whose bell towers dot the landscape, especially in Montesquieu-Lauragais.
- 36 km
- + 123 m
You leave the canal to ride on a nice overhanging road offering magnificent views on the canal and countryside. You reach the Cathar village of Avignonet-Lauragais before passing by Port Lauragais and the watershed between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean sea. You then head towards Castelnaudary, where you will be warmly welcomed with a tasty cassoulet on the nice port.
- 49 km
- 45 km
Today’s route diverts from the canal to the charming medieval village of Saint-Papoul, famous for its beautiful Benedictine abbey built in the 8th century. After visiting the abbey, you keep on cycling through the countryside to Bram, where you reach the canal again. You can make a detour to the village, an ancient fortified 'circulade' where you can still see the circular pattern of the streets even if the walls no longer exist. The towing path becomes an unpaved single track untill you reach Carcassonne. We suggest a nice detour on quiet country roads through the villages of Alzonne and Sainte-Eulalie, which is recommended on rainy days. In Carcassonne, you cycle through the new city to reach the old 'Cité'.
- 20 km
- + 266 m
We propose a loop tour at the gates of the Cité of Carcassonne, with two essential stops: a visit to the Cité of Carcassonne and a swim or a moment of idleness at the lake of Cavayère. On the way back, the views of the Cité, over the local vineyards, add a bucolic note to this peri-urban bike tour.
Make a last stroll throught the medieval streets of Carcassonne before setting off.
The entry to the "Cité", the old city of Carcassonne is free. To visit the castle, you need an entry ticket (adults only). Explore one of the largest fortified towns in Europe, and one of the best conserved thanks to the restoration work carried out by Viollet-le-Duc in the 19th century.
- 19,00 € € Adulte
- 0,00 € € Enfants - de 18 ans
- 0,00 € € Jeunes -26 ans UE
Accommodation
Information
Start of the trip
Your first day is a cycling stage. Your bikes will be available from 9.30 a.m. at the bicycle rental agency. If you have chosen the luggage transport option, you must drop your bags off at the rental agency at 9.30 a.m..
To get to the departure point
By plane: Toulouse airport is well connected with many European cities. There is a shuttle bus going into the city center every 20 minutes, which takes about 20 to 40 minutes, depending on traffic.
By train: Toulouse train station is not connected to the TGV railway system. To get to Toulosue, you take a regional train from Bordeaux or Montpellier/Sète. To plan your trip : https://www.thetrainline.com
Car park
Public parking lots in Toulouse are expensive. A better idea is to leave your car in Carcassonne and take the train to the starting point. That way, you have your car ready as soon as you arrive in Carcassonne. To find a parking lot : https://www.parkopedia.com
To return to the starting point
Train: If you wish to get back to the starting point, you take a regional train. Tickets are without reservation and trains take bicycles for free (if you are traveling with your own bicycles). There are many trains traveling between Carcassonne and Toulouse, the trip takes about one hour. Tickets can be bought at the station or on the website : https://www.thetrainline.com
- Occitania
- 4 day(s)
- Fairly easy
- ~ 34 km/day
- Itinerant
Tried and tested stays!
- Experience15 years' experience in cycling to advise and satisfy you
- Tested & ApprovedThe whole team goes out into the field to design the itineraries and select the best partners (accommodation, bikes, etc.).
- Quality of serviceA dedicated customer service team available and ready to listen, from the moment you book until you return from your holiday.
- Secure paymentIndividual or fractional payment by secure means via our website
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- Occitania
- Fairly easy
- ~ 34 km/day
- Itinerant